Button making machine



Mayan 1941;

E. cLEMENs 2,243,45 BUTTON MAKING MACHINE Filed Nov. 2o, 1937 7sheets-sheet 1 ,(0 31, 3f 116 l .Zl' f @1 116' 2'- I f "1 lf3" l/ l I'igfl/ ATTORNEY May 27, 1941 E. cLEMENs BUTTON MAKING MACH-INE Filed Nov.20, 1937 '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 lNvEN-ro m wm. ,m m E I W ATTORNE- May 27,i941.

E. CLEMENS BUTTON MAKING MACHINE l Filed NQv. 20, 1937 7 sheets-sheet 5,LNV

....HHIHH'" INVENTOR Emanuel C'Zeweus Wjm a, j@

K ATTORNEY May 27, 1941.

E. C14-:MENS

BUTTON MAKING MACHINE May 27, 1941.

17:. cLEMENs BUTTON MAKING MACHINE Filed Nov. 20, 1937. '7 Sheets-Sheet5 INVENTOR Imam/,e2 Clemens BY ATTORN May Z7, 1941.` E. cLEMENs BUTTONMAKING MACHINE Filed Nov. 2o, 19:57.

7 Sheets-Sheet G A INVENTOR Emanuel Clemens -BY -l v A'l-'TQRNEY May 27,194L- E. cLEMENsA,

BUTTON MAKING MACHINE iled Nov. 20, 1951 '7 sheets-sheet 7 Nv su S n Re7V. om ,E am wb m mwM m m. 5%

Patented May 27, 1941 BUTTON lvIAKING P/.IA'OHINE Emanuel Clemens, EastOrange, N. J., assigner to Peter 0. Christensen, East Orange, N. J.

Application November 20, 1937, Serial No. 175,665

1 Claim.

My invention relates to button making machines and more particularly tobutton making machines ofthe type wherein discs or blanks of thematerial from which it is desired to make buttons are held in chucksWhile subjecting the same to turning operations, usually for the purposeof cutting the faces and/or the backs of the blanks to the forms desiredin the finished buttons.

Button making machines of the type just referred to and which have goneinto extensive commercial use are of several classes. In machines of onesuch class the chucks are generally rotatable about fixed orsubstantially fixed aXes and certain operations necessary to beperformed in using the machines, such as the insertion or placement ofthe blanks in the chucks, are eXecuted manually. Machines of this classusually have a comparatively low output and require the continuouspresence and services of attendants. In another class, a plurality ofchucks are embodied in each machine, which chucks, While the machine isoperated, are not only rotated about their several aXes, but are movedbodily together or turret-Wise in an annular path or orbit. At one pointin such orbit the blanks to be Worked on are delivered to the chucks asthey successively reach such point, while at other points therein theblanks are successively gripped in the chucks, subjected to cuttingoperations and released by and removed from the chucks. Ma-

chines of the latter class, while usually automatic in their actions,are of complicated and costly construction, bulky, cumbersome inoperation and frequently prove unreliable and unsatisfactory.

One of the principal objects of my invention is to provide an improvedbutton making machine of the type employing a chuck or chucks forholding button blanks or discs to be operated on, which preferably isentirely automatic in its actions and requires so little and infrequentservicing that a single attendant can effectively take care of aconsiderable number of such machines.

Another object of my invention is to provide a machine of this characterwhich is of improved and comparatively simplified construction and whichis adapted to be effectively operated at such speed as to result in avery high output.

Another object of the invention is to provide a button making machineinvolving an improved construction and arrangement of parts whereby thevarious actions of the machine Will be relatively timed to occur in thesequence necessary for the proper and most eiiective operation of themachine.

Further objects of this invention are to provide such a machine having aplurality of chucks which are, preferably, although not necessarily,rotatable about fixed axes and which are alternately conditioned to gripand release button blanks to be operated upon when held therein; andalso a machine of this character having novel means for delivering orapplying such a blank to each of said chucks each time the latter is inrelease condition and preferably just prior to the changing thereof togripping condition.

Affurther object is to provide in a machine having several chucks, meansfor delivering button blanks or the like to the chucks, which meanscomprises'a simple and novel device for transferring such blanks or thelike from a given point in the machine alternately to different chucks.

Another object Vof myinvention is to provide novel means for ejectingbutton blanks or the like from the chucks of machines of the characterdescribed upon the changing of such chucks from gripping to releasecondition.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved constructionfor ensuring the successive feeding of button blanks or the like in amachine of the character described, at definitely determined intervals.

Other objects, features and advantages of my invention will appear fromthe following description and the appended claim.

While my invention is especially designed for embodiment in buttonmaking machines having a plurality of chucks which are rotatable aboutfixed axes, it is to be understood that various features thereof, such,for example, as the blank feeding, delivering and ejecting means, areapplicable to 4other types of button making machines and that somefeatures are also adapted to be incorporated in machines used forpurposes other than button making.

For a clearer understanding of the invention, attention is directed tothe accompanying drawings which show a preferred form of button makingmachine in accordance with the invention and in which:

Figure 1 is a View of the machine in side elevation with parts brokenaway;

Figure 2 is a rear elevational View, partly broken away and partly insection, of the machine shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a front elevational view, partly in section and partlybroken away, of the head of the machine shown in Figures l and 2 andcertain of the parts associated with said head;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional View of themachine, with parts shown in elevation and with parts broken away;

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional plan View of the machine, with partsbroken away, the section being taken approximately on the line 5-5 ofFigure 4;

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary rear elevational and part sectionalView of the machine, the line of the section corresponding approximatelyto the line 6 6 of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is an enlarged front elevational view, partly broken away andpartly in section, of a portion of the machine corresponding to thatshown in Figure 6;

Figure 8 is an enlarged sectional view, partly in elevation and partlybroken away, taken on a line corresponding approximately to the line 3 8v of Figure 7; l

Figure 9 is a detailed elevational View corresponding to the lowerportion of Figure 7, with certain of the parts differently positioned;

Figure 10 is an enlarged detailed sectional view, partly in elevation,the section being taken approximately on line I--I il of Figure 4;

Figure 11 is an enlarged detailed part sectional view showing thecutting tool in operative position;

Figures 12, 13 and 14 are detailed views illustrating the co-action iandoperation of certain parts shown in the upper portion of Figure 6;

Figure 15 is a sectional view taken on line IE-IS of Figure 8;

Figure 16 is a front elevation of one of the chucks with a button blankgripped therein las viewed from a plane indicated by line Iii-I6 inFigure 8; and

Figure 17 is a detailed sectional View showing -a modified form of thebutton blankseating device which is associated with each chuck of themachine. i

The frame of the machine shown in the drawings, comprises a mainsupporting head A, a

base B to which said head is bolted, and a pair of spaced complementaryVertical brackets or standards l, I which are xedly secured .at theirlower ends, as by bolts, to the enlarged upper endY portion A of thesaid head A. A member 2 in the form of a horizontal platform, is -boltedat its ends respectively to the upper ends of brackets l, I and acts tobrace 'said brackets and to maintain their upper end porti-ons in xedspaced relation. A large cupped member C adapted to catch the cutbuttons or the like discharged f-rom the machine, is disposed betweenthe head A `and base B, said member having an upstanding central bos-s Cthrough which extend the bolts connecting the head A to base B and beingthereby securely held in position.

The power for driving the various operating mechanisms and parts of themachine shown, is supplied by two electric motors M, M which arerespectively suitably supported by the brackets I, I at the upper endsof the latter, as by having their frames bolted thereto.

The principal operating mechanisms of that particular form of myimproved machine herein illustrated, comprise two chucking devices eachof which includes a chuck for holding button blanks while being cut andmeans for ejecting cut blanks from the chuck, a pair of holding andfeeding devices for two cutting tools which operate on button blanksheld in the chucks -respectively, two grinding wheels for said cuttingtools respectively, feeding mechanism for successively supplying blanksto a given point in the machine at regular intervals, and transfermechanism for moving button blanks from said given point and deliveringthe same to said chucks.

The motor M' is relied upon to rotate only one of the chucks and one ofthe grinding wheels, whereas motor M in addition to rotating the otherchuck and the other grinding wheel, Ialso iactuates the main drivingshaft of the machine. Accordingly, motor M is preferably more powerfulthan motor M' and has a slower normal operating speed.

The shaft 3 of motor M has a pulley 4 fixed' thereto; 'and by means ofsaid pulley, a second pulley 5 fixed to a stud shaft 5, a belt 'Ipassing over both pulleys, a worm 8 carried by the stud shaft, and aworm wheel 8 engaged Iby the worm and keyed to the main shaft I0, thesaid motor is operatively connected to the main shaft so as to effectrotation thereof at the proper speed during operation of the machine.'I'he stud shaft 6 is .parallel to motor shaft 3 and is journalled inspaced bearings II, II disposed within a journal-box I2 which is carriedby la bracket I3 bolted or otherwise secured to the lower end portion ofhead A. The main shaft I0 is disposed at right angles to and slightlyabove stud shaft 6, -being journalled in -a bearing portion I4 of arearward integral extension I5 of the head A. The shaft lil projectsfrom both ends of bearing portion Iii; and keyed to one of theprojecting end portions of said shaft are two cams I6 :and I'I, and tothe other `projecting end portion thereof the worm wheel 9, two cams I6and I'I respectively similar to cams I6 and I'I, and a sprocket I8.Collars I3 mounted on shaft I0 and nuts 23 threaded onto its ends, actto maintain the members I6, I'I, 9, IB', I'I' and I8 properly spaced andto prevent appreciable axial movement of the shaft in the bearingportion I4.

The upper end portion A of head A is provide with two similarcylindrical parallel openings 2|,

2I extending therethrough from the front to the back thereof, in whichopenings the two chucking devices D, D' of the machine are respectivelymounted. These chucking `devices are identical in construction and eachof the same, with special reference to Figures 8, 15 'and 16, comprisesa hollow generally cylindrical chuck 22 and a long hollow cylindricalclamping member or sleeve 23 having a stepped bore and within which saidchuck is disposed. Each chuck 22 consists of an inner end portion 24which fits fairly closely within the smallest section of the steppedbore of the respective clamping member 23, and three substantiallyequi-spaced resilient jaws 25 which are integral with said end portion24 and eX- tend forwardly therefrom through the larger sections of thebore of said clamping member to a point slightly beyond the forward endof the latter. in gripping portions 23 which are biased laway from eachother to in-operative or non-gripping position or condition by theresiliency of said jaws. Adjacent their forward. ends the jaws of eachchuck are provided with conical or tapered outer surface portions 21,while'the bore of the respective clamping member 23 is provided with anannular tapered forward end portion 28 which is adapted to co-act withthe said surface portions 21 to force the chuck portion-s 26 tooperative gripping position or condition against the action of theresilient jaws 25, as will pres- The jaws 25 of each chuck terminateently appear. Each clamping member'23 is slidably mounted with a fairlyclose'lt, in a pair of spaced cylindrical .bearing members 29 and 30.Each bearing member 29 constitutes the inner raceway of an anti-frictionbearing which also includes an outer ring rac-eway 3l and a series ofballs 32 engaging annular groovesprovided in the opposed surfaces ofsaid raceways. The said ring 3| is seated in an enlarged forward endportion 33 of the respective opening 2l and is held rmly engaged withthe shoulder 34 at the inner end of the said -portion 33 by a angedannular member 35 which is threaded into the latter and turned uptightly against the ring. The balls 32 and the grooves in the raceways3l and 29 engaged thereby :co-act to prevent longitudinal movement ofthe latter. Each bearing member 30 has a reduced end -portion 36, and aring 3l is held firmly engaged with the shoulder 38 at the inner end ofsuch reduced portion by an annular member 39 which is threaded onto thelatter and turned up tightly against the ring. This ring 31 constitutesthe inner raceway of an anti-friction bearing which also includes anouter ring raceway 40 and a series of .balls 4l engaging annular groovesformed in the opposed surfaces of said raceways. The ring 49 is disposedin an enlarged rear end portion 42 of the respective opening 2l and isheld firmly engaged with the shoulder 43 at 'the inner end -of theportion 42 by a flanged annular member 44 which is threaded into thelatter and turned up tightly against said ring. The bearing member 30,clamping member 23 and chuck 22 of each chucking device, are connectedto rotate together within the respective opening 2l by a stud 45threaded into the member 30 and having a shank 46 which extends with aloose fit through a short slot 4l in member 23 and with a tight fit intoan opening provided in the end portion 24 of the L' chuck. While theballs 4l co-act with the grooves in the raceways 31 and 40 engagedthere- -by to prevent movement of member 30 :and therefore of chuck 22longitudinally of the aforesaid opening 2l, the slot 41 provides forIsuch movement of the clamping member 23. A strong coiled compressionspring 43 disposed about each clamping member 23 between a shoulder 49on the latter and the corresponding member 35, biases such clampingmember to a position in which its tapered inner end surface 28 Vco-actswith the tapered surfaces 2l of the jaws of the associated chuck andforces the portions 26- of said chuck to operative or gripping position.

The clamping member 23 of ea-ch chucking device extends a considerabledistance rearwardly of head portion A', and a pulley 50 is secured tothe rear end of said member .as by having its hub threaded thereon andturned up tightly. A belt 5| Ipasses over the pulley 50 of chuckingdevice D and also over a pulley 52 xed to the shaft 3 of motor M, andanother belt 5i' passes over the pulley 59 of chucking device D' andalso over a pulley 52' fixed to the shaft 3' of motor M'. Therefore whenthe machine is in operation members 23 and 30 and chuck 22 of device Dare rotatably driven by motor M, and the corresponding parts of deviceD' are rotatably driven by motor M. The two pulleys are preferably ofequal diameter, and .as the more .powerful motor M has a sloweroperating speed than motor M', the pulley 52 is of greater diameter thanpulley 52' so that both chucks will be rotated at substantially the samespeeds.

Those portions of the clamping members 23 of chuckingV devices D, D'located between the head portion A' and pulleys 50, are respectivelyembraced by yokes 53 and 53' for-med at the upper ends of two verticallyextending arms 54 and 54. The said arms are respectively providedattheir lower ends with apertured bearing portions or hubs 55 and 55'which are lpivotally mounted on a rod 56 secured in spaced bosses 5l and58 formed on head A, at points respectively outwardly of but closelyadjacent said bosses. Respectively associated with the arms 54 and 54'are two vertically extending arms 59 and 59', the latter arms beingprovided with lapertured bearing portions or hubs 69 and 60 which arerespectively pivotally mounted on rod 56 between lcollars 6| xed to theends of the latter and the hubs of arms 54 and 54'. Lugs 62 and 63provided on the hubs of arms 54 and 59 respectively and a-screw 64threaded through lug. 62 and bearing against lug 63, constitute anadbetween the arms 54' and 59' is constituted byl lugs 62' .and 63' onthe hubs of said arms respectively and a screw 64' threaded through lug62 and bearing against lug 63'. The arrangement of the parts justdescribed is such that the yokes 53 and 53 are respectively inengagement with the hub ends of the adjacent pulleys 58 and the 'lowerfree ends of arms 59 and 59' are respectively in the paths of two lugs65 land 65 which are respectively secured to and extend laterally fromthe cam Il and the worm Wheel 9. To minimize friction, the hub of eachpulley 50 is provided with Ia recess 66 having an antfriction `bearingdisposed therein, said bearing comprising inner and outer ring Iraceways61 and G3 and a series of balls 69 engaging opposed annular groovesformed in the raceways. The raceway 69 is retain-ed in recess 66 by aflat ring lll which is suitably removably secured to the adjacent end ofthe pull-ey hub; and the inner raceway 6l, which is free to rotate withrespect to the pulley and the associated clamping member 23 and which isengaged by the adjacent yoke 53 or 53', is Vheld `against movementlongitudinally of said pulley and clamping member by the co-action ofthe balls 69 with the grooves in the raceways engaged thereby. The lugs65 and 65 are preferably angularly spaced degrees with respect to theaxis of main shaft I0. From the foregoing, it is apparent that when themachine is in operation, the yokes 53 :and 53' will Abe quickly andalternately moved rearwardly once in each complete rotation of the mainshaft by reason of the engagement of lugs 65 and 65' with the lower endsof arms 59 land 59' respectively. The yokes in such rearward movementthereof, force the pulleys 5D and clamping members 23 of the respectivechucking devices D, D' rearwardly against the action of springs 48 tothereby effect the release of chucks 22 and the separation of the chu-ckjaws to non-gripping position. When the lugs 65, 65' pass fromengagement with the respective arms 59, 59', springs 48 immediately actto move clamping members 23 forwardly thereby to effect the return ofthe respective chucks to gripping condition. Accordingly in eachrotation of main shaft I0 the chucks 22 of the devices DD aremomentarily and alternately placed, one time each, in releasing ornong'ripping condition, but are firmly held or clamped in operativegripping condition during the major portion of each such rotation.

Associated with the chuck 22 of each chucking device are means adaptedautomatically to eject from the chuck a button or the like after thelatter has been subjected to the facing cutting operation which thespecific machine herein illustrated is designed to perform thereon, andimmediately upon the placement of the chuck in releasing or non-grippingcondition. There is preferably associated with said means a seat whichis engaged by a button blank upon insertion thereof into the chuck ashereinafter described, thereby to ensure the proper positioning of theblank for the facing operation to be performed thereon while held by thechuck. Referring to Figures 8, 15 and 1.7, the said means, for each ofthe chuckng devices, comprises a long tubular member 12 disposed withinand extending axially of the chuck 22 and in which position it issupported from the chuck by a nipple 13 having internal and externalscrew-threaded portions respectively engaged with an externally threadedrear end portion of such tubular member and with an internally threadedrear end portion of the chuck section 24. The nipple 13 is turned intothe chuck section 24 so as to bring a shoulder 14 provided thereontightly against the rear end of said chuck section. A lock nut 15threaded onto the rear end portion of member 12 and turned up tightlyagainst nipple 13 serves to lock said member and nipple in the desiredrelative position. The rear end of member 12 is slotted at 15, so thatupon loosening nut 15, said member may be turned by a screw-driver toeffect longitudinal adjustment thereof with respect to nipple 13. Theforward end portion of member 12 is reduced and has mounted thereon witha force t a thimble or cap 11, the forward end wall of said cappreferably having a plane vertical face constituting a seat for buttonblanks inserted into the chuck. A long rod 18 extends loosely throughthe main portion of the bore of member 12 and with a fairly close fitthrough an opening in the end wall of thimble 11, and terminates at itsrear end in a head 19 which is located in an enlarged rear end portion88 of said bore. A compression spring 8| is disposed in the portion 88vbetween the head 13 and a plug 82 threaded into said portion. Spring8|, the eiiective action of which may be regulated by adjustment of plug82, biases rod 18 to a position in which its head 19 engages theshoulder at the inner end of bore portion 88 and its forward end portionprojects somewhat from the thimble 11. Therefore when a button blank Sis inserted into the chuck to operative position against the thimble 11it will engage and force rod 18 rearwardly and thereby compress andstore energy in spring 8|; and upon the subsequent release of the cutblank or button by expansion of the chuck jaws to non-gripping position,spring 8| will act under the energy stored therein, to return rod 18quickly to its former position and thereby forcibly eject said blank orbutton from the chuck. The member 12 is so adjusted relatively to nipple13 that when any button blank on which the machine is designed tooperate, is seated against the front end f thimble 11 for grippingengagement at its edge by the chuck jaws 25, such blank will projectsomewhat forwardly from the chuck to enable the same to be facedproperly by the associated cutting tool. When the blanks fed to themachine have curved backs, the thimble 11 is replaced by anotherthimble, as indicated at 11 in Figure 1'7, having a face conforming tothe shape of said backs.

Facing tool holding and feeding devices E, E' are respectivelyco-operatively associated with the two chucks 22 of the chucking devicesD, D. The two assemblies which respectively include the devices E, E',facing tools T, T', grinding wheels G, G and the means for mounting,controlling and actuating said devices and grinding wheels, aresymmetrically disposed with respect to a vertical plane which extendssubstantially medially of the machine from thefront to the rear thereof.These assemblies are also composed of similar parts which are similarlyarranged. Therefore, I shall describe in detail but one of saidassemblies, namely that which includes the device E. The parts of theother assembly, however, are designated by reference characters which,except for being primed, are the same as those designating thecorresponding parts of the assembly which will now be described.

The device E comprises a holder 83 in which the facing tool T isfrictionally secured, said holder being clamped for angular adjustment,as by a split collar portion 84 thereof and a cooperating bolt 85, toone end of a shaft 86 which is journaled in and has both ends projectingfrom a bearing 81 provided at the upper end of a vertically extendingmember 88. This member 88 constitutes one arm of a rocker and isprovided at its lower end with a hub 89 journaled on one end of a shaft90 which is xedly secured, as by a set screw 9|, in and has both endsprojecting from an integral apertured projecting portion 92 of head A.The other arm 93 of said rocker is clamped for angular adjustment, bymeans of a split collar 94 integrally formed at one end thereof and aco-operating bolt 95, to the hub 89 of arm 88; the said arm 93 carryingat its other end a roller 96 bearing on the edge or camming surface ofthe cam I1 secured to main shaft |0. A lug 91 on collar 94 of arm 93,spaced lugs 98 on the hub of arm 88 and screws 99 threaded through thelugs 98 constitute means whereby, upon loosening bolt 95, angularadjustment of arm 93 with respect to arm 88 may be effected; and a ringsecured by screws to the outer end of hub 89 and a screw |8| threadedinto the corresponding end portion of shaft 80 and provided with acollar |82 having an annular groove engaged by said ring, constitutemeans whereby said huband thereby both of arms 88 and 93, may beadjusted longitudinally of shaft 90 so as to obtain proper lateralpositioning of tool holder 83 and the tool T therein and of arm 93 inrelation to chucking device D and cam I1 respectively.

The grinding wheel G for sharpening tool T is secured to the inner endof a horizontal shaft |83 rotatably mounted in and projecting from bothends of a bearing |84 which is formed as an integral upper end portionof an arm |85. At its lower end arm has spaced apertured portions |88and |81 respectively loosely engaging the end portions of a rod |88which extends through the arm 88 and is held in fixed position relativethereto by a set-screw |89. A lug ||8 on portion |86, spaced lugs I onarms 88 and screws l2 threaded through the lugs I comprise means wherebyarm |85 is held to the arm 88 for angular adjustment relative thereto soas to enable the driving belt for grinding wheel G to be suitablytensioned; and nuts ||3 threaded on the ends of rod |08 outwardly of andadjacent the arm portions |06 and |81, are adapted to co-act with thelatter to adjust arm |05 longitudinally of rod |88 and thereby adjustgrinding wheel G to proper lateral position with respect to tool T. Thegrinding wheel G is driven at high speed from motor M by pulleys ||4 andH5, respectively secured to shaft |03 and motor shaft 3, and a drivingbelt ||6 connecting and engaging over said pulleys. As the horizontalshafts 3 and H33 are at right angles to each other, the belt |55 isappropriately twisted between said pulleys. When the machine vis inoperation, only a slight angular movement of the rocker, comprising arms88 and 93, about its pivotal `axis takes place, and such movement doesnot result in any appreciable change in the distance between the axes ofthe motor shaft 3 and of the grinding wheel G.

The tool T consists of a thin flat strip of suitable metal, such as hardtemperedsteel, having a cutting end shaped to turn button faces ofdesired form; and said tool is secured against 4the base H8 of Vholder83 by means comprising a bar ||9 overlying the tool and having pin andslot connections |20 with the holder, and an arm |2| pivoted to bar i9and bearing at its end on the tool adjacent its cutting end. Bar H9 andarm |2| are adjustable lengthwise of the cutting tool Tby a rod |22having right and left handed y screw-threaded connections with said barand the holder 83 respectively. `A lever |23 pivoted on holder 83 withone of its ends bearing against arm |2| and a screw |24 threaded throughthe other end of said level and engaging the collar portion 84 of theholder, constitute means for holding said arm |2| pressed against toolT.` It is apparent that the pressure with which arm i2 |r engages tool Tand therefore the pressure with which the corresponding end portion ofsaid Ytool engages its seat, may be regulated by adjusting screw |24. Tostiifen the cutting end portion of tool T and to insure the same beingrigidly held in proper operative position, a replaceable tool bearingand guiding member' |25 is removably attached by screws |26 to theholder base H8; said member having in its upper face a groove or channelconforming to the width and thickness of the tool and an outer end |21which conforms to the cutting edge of the tool and beyond which thelatter, when operatively positioned in holder 83, projects only slightly(see Figure 11).

An arm |28 is clamped for angular adjustment, by a split collar portion|29 thereof and a cooperating bolt ISil, to that end of shaft 86 remotevfrom the one to which holder 83 is clamped; and secured to said arrnv|28 for adjustment in a slot |3| therein, is a pivot'block |32. A link|33 is pivotally connected at one end to block |32 and at its other endto the arm |3li of a rocker which is pivoted on a rod |35 secured to thehead A. The other arm |36 of said rockercarries a roller |37 which rideson the periphery or camming surface of cam I3. A strong tension spring|38 xedat one end (not shown) and connected at its other end to thetiltable tool holder 83, acts through the latter, shaft 85, arrn |28,link |33 and the rocker comprising arms |34, |36, to maintain roller |37firmly engaged with cam IE; and said spring also acts through saidholder and the rocker comprising arms 88, S3, to hold roller 96 engagedwith the cam I1. The camming surface of cam l consists of a highcircular portion concentric with shaft I0 and a low portion |39 which isof much less angular extent than said high portion. Accordingly duringthe greater part of each rotation of main shaft lil, when the roller |31engages the high portion of cam I6, the holder 83 is maintainedhorizontal in operative relation to the chuck of device D; and

during the remaining part of each rotation of said shaft, as roller |31rides on the Ylow portion |39 of said cam, the said holder is firsttilted downwardly about the axis of shaft at to bring tool T intoengagement with grinding wheel G, the tool is sharpened by reason ofsuch engagement and the holder is then returned to horizontal position.g

The edge of cam comprises a. major portion concentric with main shafti!) and a slightly higher eccentric portion Idil which as the roller S8rides thereover, (referring now to Figure 4) effects a slightcounterclockwise pivotal movement of the rocker comprising arms 88 and93. The eccentric portion Mil is in such angular relation to the low andhigh camming surface portions -of cam l that this counterclockwisiemovement of said rocker is effected, in each rotation of main shaft I0,directly after tool holder 83 is returned from its tiltedtool-sharpening position to its horizontal position (shown in Figure 4),whereby there will then be imparted to the tool holder a movement towardchucking device D sufficient to effect the' facing, by the tool T, of abutton held in the chuck of said device. Obviously as the roller 98passes from the eccentric cam portion itil?, the said rocker will beswung in aV clockwisedirection to thereby effect movement of the toolholder 83 away from the chucking device D and the retraction of tool-Tfrom cutting position. The cams i6 and il respectively differ from camsI6 and ||l only in that the low and high camming surface portions |38and Mil of the former are respectively angularly spaced approximatelyfrom the corresponding camming surface portions of the latter, By reasonof this angular spacing the tool holders 83 and 83 will, in theOperation of the machine, be alternately horizontally positioned inoperative relation to the respective chucking devices D and D', bealternately'moved, when sopositioned, t0- ward the respective chuckingdevices to effect the cutting or facing of buttons held in thel chucksthereof, and be alternateiy tilted to and' from tool-sharpeningposition.

Means are provided whereby the tool T will be advanced a very slightamount in its holder 83 when, after each cutting or facing operationperformed by the tool, said holder is tilted from horizontal positiontowards tool-sharpening position, the construction and larrangementbeing such that said tool will be thus advanced before its holderreaches the latter position. This advancing means comprises a lug itiwhich engages the inner end of tool T and is integral with an internallythreaded block |32 mounted on a threaded shaft |133. The shaft |43 isdisposed in a cylindrical recess idd provided in the base i3 Y and hasits end portions journaled in said base. Lug iti projects upwardlythrough a slot |133 in base H8, rotary movement of block M2 beingthereby prevented. Shaft |133 projects from that end of holder 83 whichis remote from chucking D, and secured to its projecting end portion isa worm wheel |418 which meshes with a worm |41 carried by a short shaft|68 journaled in lugs |59 on the holder. Secured to the Shaft |48 is aratchet |543 with which a patvl lei co-operates to impart rotarymovement to said shaft. The pawl |5| is carried by an arm 52 which ispivotally mounted at its lower end on shaft M8, said pawl beingmaintained in engagement with ratchet |50 by a spring |53 which has itsends respectively connected to the pawl and the arm |52. A link li ispivotally connected at one counter-shaft end to the upper end'portion`of arm |52 and at the other end to the upper end of an arm |55 which isfixed toY and projects upwardly from the bearing 81 of rocker arm 831 inwhich shaft B6 is journaled. As arm |55 is vertical and fixed withrespect to rocker arm 88, it is apparent that a change in the relativeangularity of holder S3 and rocker arm 60 will through link |54, causeswinging movement of arm |52 in one direction or the other, on shaft|48. For example, when holder 83 is moved in a clockwise direction (seeFigure 4) from its tilted tool-sharpening position to horizontalposition, link |54 causes arm |52 to swing on shaft |48 in a counterclockwise direction. During such movement of arm |52 the p awl merelyratchets over the teeth of ratchet wheel |50. When holder 83 is moved ina counter clockwise direction, however, as in the tilting of the samedownwardly from horizontal position to engage tool T with wheel G, link|54 causes arm |52 to swing in a clockwise direction, whereupon the pawl|5| co-aots with a tooth of wheel |50 to impart rotary movement to thelatter and therefore to the shaft 48, which, in turn, through worm |41and worm wheel |46, results in a slight rotary movement being impartedto the threaded shaft |43. Such movement of shaft |43 causes block |42to be fed lengthwise of the same and the lug MI of said block to advancethe tool T slightly in holder 83 to a position where it will besharpened properly upon subsequent engagement thereof with the abrasiveWheel G.

Bolted to the upper end portion A of head A between the brackets l, is abracket |56 having a long vertical upwardly extending arm or portion|51. suitably secured in fixed position to the upper end of bracket arm|51 is an inclined hopper |58 for the buttons or the like to be faced oroperated on by the machine. Means is provided for feeding buttonssuccessively and at substantially predetermined intervals from thehopper |58 to a vertical chute K and for delivering the buttons to saidchute with the desired sides thereof facing outwardly. This means is ofwell-known construction and will not be described in great detail:briefly, it comprises a circular plate |50 rotatably mounted withinhopper 58 adjacent the bottom of the latter and having a plurality oflong slots (not shown) which extend substantially radially thereof andare angularly equi-spaced; a shaft |60 which is secured at its upper endto said plate and which is adapted to be driven at constant speed, aswill later be described; and an openingr (not shown) in the bottom ofthe hopper, said opening being so located and formed that in eachrotation of plate |59, the inner end portions of the slots in the latterwill be successively registered there- `with and a button will bedischarged therethrough from each of said slots into the upperl flaredend K of chute K with the proper side of such button facing outwardly.

The shaft |60 extends loosely through the bottom of hopper |58 and isjournalled in and has its lower end projecting from an apertured lug orextension |6| of bracket arm |51. Keyed to the lower end of shaft |60and held thereon by a nut |62 are a bevel gear |63 and a cam |64.Meshing with gear |63 is a smaller bevel gear |65 which is secured toone end of a horizontal |65 journaled in spaced bearings |6`| providedon the rearside of bracket arm |51. The counter shaft 66 is parallel tomain shaft l0 and is adapted to be driven from and at the same speed asthe latter by a chain |68 which engages over the sprocket |8 and overanother sprocket |69 which is secured to the counter shaft and is of thesame size as sprocket I8. Keyed to the shaft |66 are three cams |10, |1|and |12, the functions of which will presently be explained. Collars |13set-screwed to shaft |66, bearings |61 and gear |65 serve to maintainthese cams properly spaced.

The rotatable plate |59 disposed in hopper |56 of the specific machineherein disclosed, is preferably provided with eight of the radiallyextending slots mentioned above. Accordingly in each rotation of theshaft |60', eight buttons are discharged one after the other from thehopper into the chute K which directs them to a seat M whence, by meanshereinafter described, buttons are transferred and delivered alternatelyto the chucks of devices D, D for the facing thereof by tools T, T'.However, during each rotation of main shaft |0 only two buttons arefaced, viz. one by tool T while held in the chuck of device D and one bytool T" while held in the chuck of device D; and as counter shaft |66rotates at the same speed as said main shaft, the shaft |60 should berotated at a speed which is only onefourth that of the said shafts |0and |66 whereby during a complete rotation of each of the latter shafts,but two buttons will be discharged into chute K and conducted to seat M.Therefore the bevel gear |65 has only one-fourth as, many teeth as bevelgear |63 so that shaft |60 will be driven from shaft |66 at a four toone speed reduction.

The chute K comprises a long vertical channel 14 terminating at itsupper end adjacent the opening in the bottom" of hopper |58 and at itslower end a slight distance above the seat M; said channel being formedby the front face of bracket arm |51 and two spaced vertical guidemembers |15 and |16 which are respectively secured, as by screw and slotconnections |11 and |18, to said bracket arm for lateral adjustment inorder that the width of the channel may be so regulated as properly toaccommodate buttons of the particular size or diameter which are to befaced by the machine at any time. The channel |14 is substantiallyclosed at the front thereof by similar opposed plates |19 and |60respectively secured to guide member |15 and |16 so as to partiallyoverlie said channel, and by two doors |8| and |82 which arerespectively mounted for movement about vertical and horizontal axesadjacent the lower and upper ends of said channel and are spring-biasedto closed position against said guide members. The said doors providefor ready access to channel |14 in case the button blanks become stuckor clogged therein.

The seat M is formed by the walls of a V- shaped notch |83 provided inthe uppery portion of a plate |84 which is secured to bracket arm |51vfor vertical adjustment by a screw and slot connection |85. The point ofV-notch |03 is aligned with the vertical central axis of channel |14,andl therefore the center of each button blank, upon the latter comingto rest on seat M after being fed theretoA from hopper |58 throughchannel |14 will be so aligned. As above indicated, the machine isadapted for operation on blanks of different sizes; and in adapting themachine to any change in the size or diameter of the blanks to be faced,the plate |84 is always adjusted to such a position that every blankpassing through the machine will upon being seated in Vnotch |83, beaccurately centered with respect to a single definite fixed point.'

The dimensions of chute |14 are such that the button blanks are veryloose therein but are held substantially vertical while passingtherethrough. Therefore in their .descent through said chute, the blankswabble and engage the walls of the chute with varying degrees offriction, and the time of such descent varies considerably for differentblanks. Each button blank, however, is disposed in seat M onlymomentarily and is then picked up and carried to one or the other of thechucks 22 of devices D, D; and it is highly important that lthe blankssuccessively delivered to seat M be so delivered at exactly equal timeintervals and in definitely timed relation to other operations of themachine. For this purpose, I have provided suitable means preferablycomprising a stop in the form of a lever IBS which is kpivoted at |81 onan extension of bracket arm |51 for horizontal swinging movement andwhich is biased by a spring |83 to operative position with its free endlocated adjacent and directly below the lower end of chute |14. Themovements of lever |86 to and from operative position are controlled oreected the cam |64 and a bell crank lever pivotally mounted at |89 onbracket arm |51 for movement about a horizontal axis. The said bellcrankv lever has a lower arm |90 loosely connected to lever |85 by a pinI3 I, and an upper arm |92 carrying a roller |93 engaging the cammingsurface of cam |64. The spring |83, through the lever |86 and said bellcrank lever, acts to maintain roller i rmly but yieldingly thus engagedwith cam |04. The annular camming surface of cam |54 consists of eightsimilar equi-spaced low portions |94 and a like number of similarequi-spaced high portions |95 disposed intermediately of said lowportions. Accordingly eight times in each rotation of shaft |69 andtherefore two times in each rotation of counter-shaft |56, at definiteand equal intervals, the stop |36 is moved to and from operativeposition. In the normal operation of the machine, each time stop |80 isbrought to operative position it arrests and momentarily supports one ofthe button blanks being successively fed through chute |14 to the seatM, and upon the subsequent movement of said stop tov inoperativeposition such blank is released and drops in a substantially verticalposition to said seat.

While each button blank is engaged with seat M, it is maintained invertical position adjacent the front of bracket arm |51 by a vane orgate |96 which is secured to a pivot pin or screw |91 and which issupported by the latter on said arm for vertical swinging movementadjacent the face of plate |84. The pivot pin |91 extends throughbracket arm |51 and has secured to its rear end an arm |98. A verticallyextending link |99 is pivotally connected at its lower end to arm |98and at its upper end to another arm 200, which latter arm is pivoted atto an extension of one of the bearings |51 for vertical movement. Arm200 underlies the cam |10 and has a high portion which is constantlymaintained in engagement with said cam by a tension spring 202 securedat its ends respectively to the pivot pin connecting said arm and linki90 and to a in 23 secured in bracket arm |51. The cam |10 thus controlsand effects the movement of gate |96 to and from its operative positionin front of the seat M, the construction and arrangement being such thatsaid gate is moved downwardly to open or inoperative position and alsoupwardly to closed or operative position two times in each rotation ofcounter shaft |65; said downward movements being respectively effecteddirectly after the two button blanks successively fed through chute |14during such rotation of said counter shaft reach seat M and just beforesaid blanks are picked up from said seat and are respectivelytransferred to the chucks of devices D, D', and said upward movementsbeing effected respectively directly after said blanks are so picked upand transferred.

An important feature of my invention is the means for picking up each ofthe button blanks which are successively fed to the seat M andtransferring the same from said seat alternately to the chucks ofdevices D, D. This means, which may be of various forms, is preferablypneumatic, or at least partially pneumatic, in action. That form of saidmeans in the machine herein illustrated, comprises a long tubular member204 mounted for rotary and sliding movements in a cylindrical opening205 which extends through the enlarged portion A of head A in parallelrellation to the openings 2|, 2| and is disposed above and midwaybetween the axes of the latter openings. The tubular member 204 extendsforwardly from head A, and disposed with a. tight iit in the forward endportion of said member and projecting therefrom is la tube 206 havingits projecting portion bent into a substantially semi-circular form andconstituting a goo-se-neck 201, Applied to the end of goose-neck 201with a force fit is a hollow cylindrical nipple 208'. The tube 206 withthe goose-neck 201 is lsecured to tubular member 204 so as to partake ofall longitudinal and rotary movements of the latter, as by a bar 209which has at one end an apertured enlargement 2|0 engaged with a forcefit over a reduced portion of nipple 288 and which has at the other enda split apertured portion 2|| clamped securely to the forward reducedend portion of said member 204 by a cooperating screw bolt 2|2. Thesplit portion 2|| is held against the shoulder formed by the reduced endportion of member 204 by a nut 2|3 threaded onto said end portion andturned up tightly. A flexible tube 2|4 is connected at one end to therear end of member 204 and at the other end to a suitable exhaust fan(not shown) which is constantly operated when the machine is in use, andwhich may be driven by either of the motors M, M or by a separate motor.Therefore duringr operation of the machine, air .is Acontinuouslywithdrawn from member 204 and tube 206 and is replaced by air sucked inthrough the nipple 208. rThis nipple accordingly acts as a suctionnozzle or cup adapted to pick up and hold a button or the likethereagainst when brought in contact therewith or closely adjacentthereto.

When the machine is in normal operation there are automatically impartedto the tubular member 204 such rotary and longitudinal movements as tocause the suction nozzle or cup 208 successively to pick up the twobuttons which are fed one after the other to seat M in each rotation ofmain shaft I0, and to transfer one of said buttons to the chuck ofdevice D and the other to the chuck of -device D. The constructionwhereby these movements are imparted to member 204 in the propersequence and timed relation will now be described,

Tubular member 204 is provided on the portion thereof within the opening205 with a segmental gear 2I5, said gear having an angular eX-tent ofsomewhat more than 180 degrees and preferably comprising teeth which areformed, by milling on in any other suitable manner, as integral parts ofsaid member.- The gear 2I5 is engaged by another segmental gear 2|6 (anarcuate slot 2|1 formed in the portion A of head A providing for suchengagement) constituting the end portion of the vertical 'arm of a bellcrank lever 2I8 which, is pivotally mounted at 2|S on a standard 220provided on bracket |58. A vertical rod or link 22| has its lower endpivotally connected at 222 to the end of the horizontal arm of said bellcrank lever and its upper end pivotally connected at 223 to a lever 224which is pivoted at 225 to the bracket arm |51. Lever 224 carries aroller` 226 which rides on the camming edge surface of cam I1I. A strongtension spring 221 connected at one end to a rod 228 carried by standardI and at the other end to a pin 220 carried by bell crank lever 218,biases the latter to a position wherein the vertical arm thereof willengage an adjustable stop screw 230 which is threaded through a lug onbracket |56 and the teeth at the eX- treme right of gear 246 (referringto Figure 6) will be in engagement with the gear 2|5. rThe angularposition of lever 2|8 and therefore of tubular member 204, under theaction of spring 221, is controlled by cam I1| through lever 224 andlink 22|. Cam I1| comprisesdiametrically opposite high and low portions23| and 232 and two similar diametrically opposite portions 233 and 234of intermediate height as compared to the said portions 23| and 2132 anddisposed between the latter. Each of said cam portions 23|, 232, 233 and234 has a central section which is concentric with the axis of the cam|1I and constitutes a dwell. The construction is such that with roller225 resting on the dwell of cam portion 233 bell crank lever IIB will bein the angular position shown in Figure 6, with the central teeth ofgear 2|6 engaging the central teeth of gear 2I5 on tubular member 204,and the latter will occupy an angular position in which the goose-neck201 is substantially vertical' with its suction cup 208 opposite theseat M, as shown in Figure 9; and in the next complete rotation of shaft|56 in the direction of the arrow shown in Figure 14, during whichroller 226 rides from the cam portion 233, over the cam portions 232,234, and 23|, in that order, and then returns to the said portion 233,the gooseneck 201 asviewed from the front of the machine is successivelyswung about the axis of member 204 in a clock-wise direction to aposition in which suction cup 203 is opposite the chuck 22 of device D,in an anti-clockwise direction to vertical position with said suctioncup again opposite seat 1V', further in an anti-clockwise direction to aposition in which said cupi is opposite chuck 22 of device D. andfinally in a clockwise direction back to vertical position with said cupstill again opposite seat M. The face of plate |85 having the seat M andthe front ends of both chucks 22 lie in a common vertical plane, andduring the swinging movements imparted to goose-neck 201 as described,the suction cup 220 is maintained in its foremost position wherein it isspaced a slight distance forwardly of said plane. Whenever tubularmember 204 and the goose-neck 201 are swung to any angular position inwhich the cup 203' is opposite the seat M or either cf the two chucks22, the same are maintained in such angular position for a brief periodbecause of the fact that the roller 226 on lever 224 then rides on oneof the aforesaid dwell sections of the cam portions 233, 232, 234 and23|. During each of the brief periods member 204 and goose-neck 201 aremaintained in any of the said angular positions, the member 204 israpidly reciprocated or moved longitudinally rearwardly and thenforwardly in the opening 205 by mechanism which will be hereinafterdescribed, These reciprocatory movements imparted to member 204 areslight, being merely suicient to ensure the cup 208 being brought intoContact with or closely adjacent a button lodged in the. seat M so as topick up the button by suction when said cup is positioned opposite saidseat, and to ensure the insertion of a button carried by the cup withinthe gripping portion of each chuck 22 when said cup is positionedopposite the latter. The teeth of gear 2I5 are made of such length as topermit such reciprocatory movements of member 204 without disruption ofthe engagement of said gear and the gear 2|6.

Secured, as by screws, to plate |85 is a bar 235 having a vertical notch236 with which the bar 203 engages and coacts accurately to'centralizeor align the cup 208 in respect of the seat M when said cup is movedtoward the latter during reciprocations of member 204. As shown inFigures 7 and 9, the bar 235 is provided rearwardly of the notch 236with a cut-out or recess 231 which accommodates the gate |96 when thelatter swings downwardly to open position.

Threaded into and extending rearwardly from head A is a rod 238 to whicha vertical triangular plate 233 is suitably secured for angularadjustment. Threaded through plate 239 are two screws 240 having smoothreduced forward end portions 24| which are respectively accuratelyaligned with the axes of the two chucks 22. Lock nuts 242 serve tosecure the screws in properly adjusted position. Adjustably clamped tothe rear end portion of tubular member 204, somewhat forwardly of plate239, is a bar 243 having at its free end an opening 244 with which thereduced end 24| of each of the screws 240 is adapted to engage with afairly close fit. Accordingly when the suction cup 208 is oppositeeither of the chucks 22 and then moved toward the chuck during rearwardmovement of member 204, the opening 244 of bar 243 will be engaged overthe end 24| of the corresponding screw 240 and coact therewithaccurately to align or centraliae the cup with respect to said chuck.

The rear portion of tubular member 204 is reduced, and secured thereto,as by being threaded thereon and turned up tightly against the shoulderat its forward end, is a sleeve 245 having spaced collars 24S. A bellcrank lever 241v comprising lower and upper arms 248 and 249 and a pivotrod 250 to the ends of which said arms are respectively secured, ispivotally mounted by means of said pivot rod on a bracket 25| bolted tothe head portion A. The lower end portionof arm 248 is in the form of ayoke 252 and embraces sleeve 245 between the collars 24B. A link or rod253 has one of its ends pivotally connected at 254 to the upper end ofarm 249 and its other end pivotally connected at 255 to the upper end ofa lever 255 which has its lower end pivoted at 25? on the bracket arm|51. Ad-

jacent its upper end lever 25Sl carries a roller 250 which rides on thecamming edge surface of cam |12 and is held rmly engaged therewith by astrong tension spring 259 secured at one end to bracket arm |51 and atthe other end to the link 253 adjacent the pivot 254. Cam |12 comprisesfour equi-spaced convex sections 260 whose edge surfaces are equalcircular segments of the same radius, and four like equi-spaced concavesections 26| which are shorter than sections 260 and alternate with thelatter. With the construction just described, the tubular member 204, ineach complete rotation of shaft |66, is maintained against longitudinalmovement and with the suction cup 208 in its aforesaid foremostposition, as roller 258 rides over each of the convex sections 260 ofcam |12, while as said roller rides over each of the four comparativelyshort concave cam sections 26|, member 204 is rapidly reciprocated orlongitudinally moved rearwardly and forwardly a short distance. Theconstruction and relative arrangement are such that, as herein beforeindicated, member 204 and cup 20B are thus held in their foremostpositions during each of the rotary movements imparted thereto by cam|1| and its associated parts, while such member and cup are held againstrotary or angular movement during each of the said reciprocatorymovements imparted thereto, when cup 208 is opposite one or the other ofthe chucks 22 or the seat M, because the roller 226 will then be ridingon one of the dwell sections of the portions 23|, 232, 233 and 234 ofcam |1|.

For removing the shavings and chips .cut from the buttons in facing thesame, there may be provided, as shown by broken lines in Figure 2, apipe or conduit 262 having branches 263 and 254 which respectivelyterminate adjacent the chucks 22 of devices D, D'. The conduit 262 isconnected to a suitable exhaust fan having the base thereof, indicatedat 265 in Figure 2, bolted to the brace member 2. This exhaust fan maybe driven by either of the motors M, M', or if desired, by a separatemotor.

To render the parts disposed within the openings 2| of head portion Aaccessible for servicing or other purposes, said head portion isprovided with two elongated substantially rectangular slots or openings265 which respectively communicate with openings 2| and which arenormally closed by readily removable covers 261.

While believed to be apparent from the foregoing, the operation of themachine will now be briefly described. In each complete rotation of mainshaft |0 and of counter shaft |66, two buttons or button blanks aresuccessively fed from hopper |58 to chute K; and by reason of theprovision of stop lever |86 and its actuating and controlling meansincluding cam |64, the buttons thus fed to chute K are successivelydelivered from the latter to seat M at time intervals which, for anygiven speed of operation of the machine, are practically exactly equal.As each button or the like is thus delivered to seat M the gate |96 isin closed or operative position; but directly after the button comes torest on the seat, said gate is moved downwardly to open or inoperativeposition by its controlling and actuating mechanism which includes cam|10. The suction cup 208, which now occupies a position opposite seat M,thereupon has successively imparted thereto, by the actuating andcontrolling mechanisms which respectively include the cams |12 and`|1|,a reciprocatory or rearward and forward movement wherein it picks up thebutton and removes it from said seat; a swinging movement about the axisof member 204 of such extent and in such a direction as to bring thesame opposite to that one of the chucks 22 which is then in expanded ornon-gripping condition and from which a faced button has just beenejected by the associated spring biased rod 18; another reciprocatorymovement wherein the button carried thereby is partially inserted withinthe gripping portions 26 of the jaws 25 of said chuck and said jaws arecontracted, as herein before described, to grip the button and detach orremove it from the cup; and then another swinging movement of the sameextent as but in the opposite direction of its preceding swingingmovement so as again to bring the cup opposite seat M. The gate |96 willthen have been returned to its operative or closed position and the nextbutton fed to chute K after that transferred by cup 208 to one of thechucks 22 as just described, will then be disposed in seat M. In thefollowing button-transferring actuation of tubular member 204 andsuction cup 208, the latter will effect the removal Vof the said nextbutton from seat M and the insertion thereof within the jaws of theother chuck 22. As will be understood, during the movements which arenecessary to be imparted to tubular member 204 and cup 208 to effect thetransfer of a button from seat M to the chuck of either one of thedevices D, D', the cutting tool T or T associated with such device isretracted from cutting position, swung downwardly with its holder 83 or63 to bring it into operative relation with the associated grindingwheel G or G', and is advanced slightly in its holder when so swung toensure effective sharpening thereof by said grinding wheel; and as thetool and its holder are swung downwardly the chuck of said device isadjusted to non-gripping position and the button which has just beenfaced while held therein is ejected by the associated rod 18. Also, inthe meantime, the facing tool and tool-holder associated with the otherchucking device are swung upwardly from tool sharpening position to ahorizontal operative position and then moved toward said chucking deviceto eifect the facing of the button then held in the chuck of suchdevice. It is thus apparent that the machine is entirely automatic inits actions, and that when it is in use practically the only manualoperation required to maintain the same in operation at maximumefficiency is the replenishing of the supply of button blanks in hopper|58 from time to time.

The disks or blanks designed to be faced by the machine shown anddescribed herein may be formed of any suitable material capable of beingeffectively turned such, for example, as cured or partially cured caseinmaterial, vegetable ivory, synthetic resin materials, etc.

While the machine shown and specifically described herein is a preferredform and admirably adapted to fulfill the stated objects, it is to beunderstood that such form is merely illustrative and is subject to manychanges and various modifications without departure from the spirit ofthe invention or the scope of the appended claim.

What I claim is:

Feed mechanism for button-shaped work pieces comprising an open sidedseat to which such work pieces are adapted to be fed; a gate mounted formovement to and from an operative position in front of and adjacent theopen side of said seat to close said open side and to maintain a workpiece in a certain position on the seat;

ing means for said gate and device; and means for so controlling theoperation of said actuating means that movement of the gate from itssaid operative position will be effected upon each movement of saiddevice to its gripping position through the open side of said seat.

EMANUEL CLEMENS.

